The State Government is backing grassroots sports clubs to break down barriers to participation and help build social and active local communities.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence joined Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny and members of Epping Football Netball Club on Thursday to announce 560 recipients are sharing more than $694,000 from the latest round of the Sporting Club Grants Program.
In this round, the program focus is on supporting, celebrating and building the capacity of sports volunteers in vital roles – from administration to coaching and umpiring.
Ms Spence said clubs, coaches, officials and volunteers were integral to community sport.
“It just wouldn’t happen without them,” she said.
“That’s why we’re backing more clubs with help to purchase uniforms and equipment and investing in their future through training and development.
“This is about helping to boost memberships, supporting volunteers and getting behind grassroots sport which is a vital part of local communities.”
Epping Football Netball Club received $1000 towards the purchase of women’s footy jumpers, while Craigieburn Basketball Association Inc received $2000 to upskill volunteer junior coaching staff.
Ms Halfpenny said Epping Football Netball Club was important to the community.
“Epping Football Club is a stable of our community and the uniform grant will help their women’s side grow and succeed – on and off the field,” she said.
Epping Football Netball Club president Adrian Onofretchook said the grant benefitted the developing women’s program.
“It’s been a long-time getting a women’s side together, but it’s finally going to happen,” he said.
“Now local women will have somewhere to socialise and keep fit doing it.”
The program provides up to $1000 for uniforms, equipment and resources improving accessibility and engagement; up to $2000 for projects to strengthen volunteering and officiating; up to $4000 to deliver a new sport or recreation program and up to $750 to support athlete travel.
The Sporting Club Grants Program has injected more than $16 million in support to thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state since 2015.
By providing more opportunities for clubs and organisations to build their capacity, this program goes a long way towards future proofing grassroots sport and recreation and ensuring clubs have the skills they need to take their game to the next level.
A new round of the Sporting Club Grants is also set to open in the coming weeks.
For more information on the grants and a full list of recipients visit sport.vic.gov.au.
